Is Superscript Gmail Still Relevant?

Google’s decision to replace the pen-dancing superscript Gmail with a more traditional layout has left many wondering whether it is time to switch, or if this minimalist layout is all that we need. Superscript gmail is ill-suited for the majority of users, and offers a painfully simple interface.

What is Gmail’s SuperScript?

Superscript gmail is an experimental interface introduced by Google in 2009 in lieu of their traditional, elaborate Gmail interface. Superscript gmail has only been available to a few test users, and until now has never been made public. Google says superscript email is for the “computer literate.” Anybody with more than basic computer skills will find this new Gmail unfathomable and annoying. Even for those with less advanced computing skills, it’s onerous to use and difficult to learn.

Is Superscript Gmail Still Relevant?

Despite the faulty design and onerous user experience, superscript gmail still makes sense. Google was attempting to make a dramatic change to Gmail which would aid in their technological goals. Superscript Gmail was Google’s attempt to promote “on-device” computing, or what is termed as “personal computer” computing today. Superscript gmail was also implemented in order to help define Google’s OS structure as a series of applications.

Google wanted to create a single application, consisting of thousands of native applications running right on top of their OS (operating system), without the need for an operating system itself. They wanted to create a series of applications that could run without the need for a computer.

Google’s planning principle was “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” Their philosophy is one of self-restraint, which focuses on allowing users to do what they want to do, but not doing it for them. Google’s intention is to make their OS more accessible, and for users to have more control over their information. In order for Google OS (operating system) to compete with the likes of Apple and Microsoft, they need a drastic redesign if they plan on gaining any attention from enthusiast users.

1. What was wrong with the Superscript Gmail Interface?

In superscript gmail, the interface is composed of nothing more than a window in which emails are written. This window comes with many drawbacks. First, it doesn’t show your account picture next to your name when browsing through your contacts list. It also doesn’t show any other information aside from the “to,” “from,” and “subject” fields of each email message. When you open up an email, it’s simplistic and doesn’t offer anything else that could be useful to you.

Superscript gmail also features no attachment cap, or integrations with other Google applications. Google’s designers realized that they could only provide the very basic functionality required to write emails and make sense of their inbox, but that’s all. They found this was the perfect time to introduce a new concept: “on-device” computing. It would be illogical for them to add more features into Gmail as it would produce a cluttered interface and complicate further development of their OS design. This is how superscript gmail became so simple and straightforward to use. But its simplicity comes at a price: it’s not very user friendly.

2. What do the critics have to say about Superscript Gmail?

Critics have welcomed superscript gmail with open arms. Many feel as though Google is finally giving users what they want. One critic went as far as saying that “Google has given us a glimpse of the future of computing, and I hope Apple and Microsoft take note.” He felt as though superscript email helped users understand that software can be more intuitive, less frustrating, and provide more value for them. He also felt it was clear that Google wanted to make computers easier for people to use.

Others have criticized Google’s attempts to make the OS more accessible. Some felt that Google should not have made superscript gmail so simplistic and should expand their OS capabilities instead. This criticism seems highly misguided, but shows how much people are resistant to change, which is contrary to Google’s intentions. The more people use a new interface, the more they are likely to adapt it into their own workflows. And as time goes on, users will get used to superscript email and see its advantages over their old designs.

3. Who uses Superscript Gmail?

Google has said that about 4,000 users have been testing superscript gmail in beta conditions for nearly two years now. Out of those users, the number of people who actually used superscript gmail for anything is extremely low. Most people who have been trying out superscript gmail only use it for testing purposes, temporarily. Many people simply want to see what the new interface is like, and may become confused at first as to how users can write an email without attachments or specific settings.